Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara has directed officials to provide more local employment under the VBG Ramji scheme in drought-hit areas and pay workers within one week, warning that officers would be held responsible for any delay. He issued the instruction during a drought review meeting for Koppal and Raichur districts on Thursday.
Parameshwara said wage payments should not remain pending after the creation of person-days under the scheme. He said he would personally monitor the payment process and warned that delays could force young people to migrate while leaving elderly family members behind.
“Since there is severe drought, provide work to people locally in greater numbers under the VBG Ramji scheme and pay the wages within a week. If there is a delay, the officials will be held responsible,” Parameshwara said, according to Prajavani’s report of the meeting.
He instructed officials to send proposals quickly when funds were required. If proposals were submitted promptly for financial assistance, the money would be released without delay, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also identified drinking water, fodder, prevention of distress migration and adequate electricity supply as the immediate priorities for officials dealing with the drought. He said ₹1 crore had already been provided to each Assembly constituency for drinking water arrangements and that an additional ₹1 crore would now be released for the same purpose.
The directions place wage payments and local employment alongside basic service delivery in the administration’s drought response. For rural households dependent on public works, the timing of wage payments can determine whether relief reaches them during the period of distress. Parameshwara’s instruction links the creation of work with the obligation to ensure that workers receive their dues within the specified period.
The review covered the drought situation in Koppal and Raichur, including drinking water availability, fodder arrangements, migration and electricity supply. Parameshwara also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide the state with drought-relief assistance on a larger scale. He said the state government would approach the people if the assistance was not provided.
Officials are expected to act on the directions by ensuring local work, clearing wage payments within a week and processing proposals for drinking-water funds without delay. The additional ₹1 crore allocation for each Assembly constituency is the next financial measure announced for drinking-water arrangements.
